2008 Olympia Blog

I got this great email from IFBB Figure Pro Meriza DeGuzman about this past weekend’s 2007 IFBB Tournament of Champions Pro Figure competition.  In it, she tells about this past weekend, and also about the fact that she’s now qualified to compete at the Olympia this weekend, after taking 3rd place at the TOC!  I’m posting her thoughts here with her permission for your viewing pleasure!

"Oh my, I’m still on Cloud 9!  It’s been a great year for me.  I earned my pro card in June at Figure Nationals, after three heart-breaking close calls, and with my class, "A" class getting tougher and tougher each show!

I promised Jon Lindsay (California NPC and IFBB promoter) that I’d do his show (Tournament of Champions) if I ever got my pro card.  Well, true to my word, I kept my condition since June and got up on Jon’s stage this past weekend.

To tell you the truth, I was super nervous!  (Butterflies in my tummy!)  I mean, I have stood onstage with the best amateurs in the country so many times, I had gotten fairly comfortable with the other "shorties".  They are all so good now, whew!  I think I was so nervous because I was concerned about how I would compare to the taller girls.  It was funny, actually, standing side by side with Mary Jo Cooke and Nancy Georges, both at least a foot taller than me in their heels!  LOL

One thing that was different was how friendly and supportive the girls were at the show.  It was a surprise, and felt funny, when John Tuman, the head judge, called us by our first names when he was comparing us!  I used to be just a number.  That made me feel special.  The girls are all so sweet and nice - not what I was expecting.  They were so supportive of me because it was my first time.  Mary Jo was great!  And, Heather May French was so sweet, too.  Oh yeah!  the prize money wasn’t bad either!  Sonya Adcock was there, and was so nice and supportive… everyone is so sweet - my pro debut was great!

Plus, honestly, I have looked up to and admired many of the girls at the pro level.  I was more than a little bit intimidated.  Tanji Johnson, for example, has been sort of an idol of mine since I first met her at Emerald Cup 2005.  She’s so sweet and so beautiful, I couldn’t believe it when I found myself standing right next to her in the line up!

Gina and I train in the same gym.  We hang out personally sometimes - we got our nails done on Thursday before the show, and try to coordinate our cardio sessions when we can; she was like my big (little) sister - so sweet, and supportive - but still, she’s "Gina Aliotti", right?  Same goes with Mary Jo Cooke.  I mean, all of these girls are so beautiful, and have been successful as pros, could you believe it?  I was up there too!  and I’m still shocked that I did so well for my first pro show.

I know I’ve got alot of improvements to make, but I am working so hard.  I have some new confidence now, but I know that the girls on stage at the O are on another level!  It’s an honor to be able to stand on stage under that big red "O"!  I still can’t believe it!  Like a dream come true.  I am so blessed for this opportunity.  I can’t wait!

So, watch out, Vegas, and watch out world!  Here comes all 4′11 1/4" of Meriza!"

Meriza DeGuzman
www.MerizaFigure.com